Diogo Jota’s physiotherapist, Dr. Miguel Goncalves, has shared heartbreaking details about the final moments of the talented footballer and his brother, Andre Silva, before a tragic accident claimed their lives. The football world is reeling from the sudden loss of the gifted striker and his brother in a catastrophic crash on the A-52 highway near Cernadilla, close to Zamora, just 16km from the Portuguese border.
The accident occurred when the Lamborghini they were driving suffered a tire blowout, causing it to lose control, overturn, and burst into flames. Despite the swift response of emergency services, both Diogo and Andre could not be saved. The brothers were traveling from Portugal through northern Spain to Santander, where they planned to board a ferry to England. Jota had been advised against air travel due to health concerns following lung surgery.
Dr. Goncalves, the last person to speak with Jota at 8:30 PM on April 2, revealed details of their conversation just hours before the tragedy struck at 12:35 AM on July 3. Speaking to Record, he emphasized that neither Diogo nor Andre had consumed alcohol. “Diogo was highly professional and cautious,” Goncalves said. “He was due for a follow-up in Liverpool on July 7. I was devastated to hear the news.
I spoke with Diogo and Andre at 8:30 PM. Andre was a wonderful brother, accompanying Diogo on this journey. They planned to spend quality time together. They chose to travel at night for cooler weather but had no intention of driving straight through to England.
Diogo estimated the trip would take about eight hours, so they planned to rest at a hotel in Burgos. He was very professional and mindful. They were expected to reach Santander today and take the ferry to England. Their family was set to fly directly to England to finalize arrangements over the weekend.
I can confirm that Diogo and Andre were not partying. They were cheerful, relaxed, and showed no signs of distress.”
Regarding Jota’s health, Dr. Goncalves noted, “The right side of Diogo’s lung had collapsed, but his recovery was remarkable. He followed my advice meticulously. After our session yesterday, he was pain-free and ready to return to Liverpool.
Diogo was excited and confident about his recovery. He was eager for the upcoming season. He told me he would skip Liverpool’s pre-season tour to Japan to focus on rehabilitation, believing he was on track for a fantastic season.”
Jota’s funeral will be held at São Cosme Chapel, a 30-minute drive from his hometown of Porto, where he recently celebrated his wedding to 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥hood sweetheart Rute Cardoso on June 22. The burial will take place at 10:00 AM on July 5 at Igreja Matriz de Gondomar, adjacent to the chapel.